As warmer months approach, kids flock to playgrounds to release their endless energy. But along with that fun come scraped knees and sometimes more serious injuries, like broken bones, dislocations and concussions.

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, 1,841 children under the age of 18 required hospitalization as a result of a playground injury between 2014 and 2015. This is the most recent data we have on this subject.

It’s a startling statistic and a reminder that playgrounds are fraught with danger. As a business owner, you face risks if you have playground equipment on your premises.

Insurance coverage: what you need

A child or adult can get injured on a playground in many ways. Most instances are covered under your general liability insurance. However, two other insurance products are especially important if you have a playground on your property: premises liability and commercial umbrella insurance. These are often paired with a general liability policy.

Premises liability covers incidents that occur on your business premises. It may also include product liability coverage for injuries caused by a faulty playground product.

A commercial umbrella covers costs associated with an event that surpasses your general liability coverage limits. Judgments against business owners often run into the millions. A commercial umbrella can help offset those costs.

Keep your playground safe

Insurance is not the only way to protect your business against playground injuries. Be proactive and ensure your playground equipment is in top shape. Inspect the playground regularly to identify potential problems before anyone gets hurt. Here are some safety tips to prevent playground injuries:

  • Post signs with playground rules. Note clothing that must not be worn (drawstrings, very loose clothing, flip-flops, etc.).
  • Increase adult supervision at the playground. This may mean hiring one or two people to ensure children use the equipment properly and enforce the posted playground rules.
  • Make sure children use equipment appropriate for their age. Playground equipment is age-specific.
  • Eliminate nails, bold ends and other sharp points. Inspect the playground structures periodically for any loose or exposed nails.
  • Allow for adequate space around play equipment. For example, structures more than 30 inches high must be 9 feet apart. Also, front and back areas around swing sets should be two times the height of the suspending bar. Consider limiting the number of children who may use the equipment at the same time.
  • Install guardrails or barriers for platforms higher than 30 inches. Ensure there are bars and barriers to keep children from falling off walkways.
  • Beware of spaces where small heads can get stuck. Ensure openings between bars, ladder rungs, rails and cargo net ropes are less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches wide.
  • Clear the play area of rocks, tree stumps, roots or other debris that can cause tripping or falling.
  • Surfaces around playground equipment should have wood chips, mulch, pea gravel or sand at least 12 inches deep, or mats made of safety-tested rubber.

Playgrounds are one of the many joys of childhood. But they’re also dangerous. If you have a playground or playground equipment on your premises, you must be prepared to manage the risk of severe injury.

In addition to regular equipment checkups, increasing your liability coverage may be prudent. We can help you navigate playground hazards and find the best coverage for your business needs.